Didactics

In addition to direct patient care training opportunities, interns participate in a series of seminar and other didactic training events. The overall goal of the various didactic conferences and seminars is to provide interns with formal instruction on topics important to their practice as pediatric psychologists. Didactics include the following:

• Seminar in Pediatric and Child Clinical Psychology This seminar is held for two hours weekly and is geared to the needs of psychology interns. Sessions address the following:
  • Basic issues in general and subspecialty pediatric medical care. Topics presented reflect the broad range of medical specialties within the hospital, ranging from psychosocial aspects of diabetes management to child abuse, genetics, headaches, and somatoform illnesses. The willingness of pediatric specialists, many of who are nationally and internationally recognized for their work, to present to psychology interns speaks highly of the regard for training in the hospital.
  • Child clinical training issues, e.g., individual and family therapy techniques, various assessment measures.
  • Psychosocial ramifications of a variety of medical presentations, including acute and chronic illnesses. The overlap between medical and psychological illnesses in children and families.
  • Ethical issues, including the APA Code of Ethics, with particular application to the practice of psychology within a child/medical setting.
  • Sensitivity and exposure to issues related to working with children and families representing diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Development of skills related to professional practice (e.g., interviewing, writing research grants, preparing vitae, post-doctoral opportunities)
• Assessment Seminar. One hour biweekly. Interns meet with faculty members to discuss current assessments and/or review/discuss tests. Interns gain the opportunity to hear the wide range of assessments being conducted, benefit from group input and supervision, and learn about new tests.
• Family Therapy Seminar. One hour biweekly. Interns meet with faculty member to discuss ongoing family therapy cases. Supervision is provided via videotapes of sessions. Interns benefit from group input and are provided the opportunity to process themes across various family therapy cases.
• Hospital Sponsored Programs. Interns are encouraged to attend weekly Pediatric Grand Rounds and other training experiences that are sponsored by the duPont Hospital for Children. Interns also are encouraged to attend monthly ethics rounds sponsored by the hospital. In addition, interns are encouraged to attend rounds or journal clubs offered by medical subspecialties (e.g., Neurology, Endocrinology, or Gastroenterology).